Over 30% of Irans
population is under 15. Three Albany activists, Carole Ferraro, Diane Reiner
and John Amidon, participated in a recent US delegation of academics and
peace activists to Iran in an effort to promote dialogue and diplomacy.
In addition to meeting with politicians and academics, they met with many
young people. All three spoke at SPCs April program on Iran. Photo:
Diane Reiner

"Three years after
senior administration officials systematically misled
the nation into a disastrous war, they could well be trying to do it again,"
one expert is quoted in Foreign Policy magazine (www.foreignpolicy.com).
"In recent months I have grown increasingly concerned that the administration
has been giving thought to a heavy dose of air strikes against Iran's nuclear
sector without giving enough weight to the possible ramifications of such action,"
says another in Forward magazine (www.forward.com).

As early as July of
2005, antiwar.com cited reports that Dick
Cheney had drawn up contingency plans to use tactical nuclear weapons in Iran
as a way of destroying underground bunkers allegedly used for nuclear weapons
development. The United Federation of Scientists argue that the upcoming test
of a 700-ton explosive device in Nevada is intended to gauge the exact increment
of nuclear hell-fire it might take to destroy an underground bunker.

Recently, through an
ultimatum that has little force behind it, yet insists something must be done
about Iran in the short-term, the UN has further opened the door for a Cheney/Bush
bombing raid. The ultimatum purposely was designed to be weak because the member
states don't entirely agree on a course of action.

Will the bombs start
falling on Iran in time for the fall elections? Would that even help the Republicans
at this point? Why do the governments of Western Europe seem more like administrative
units within the US Empire than independent states?

Apparently, China and
Russia aren't so happy with the prospect. And doesn't China have business deals
with Iran involving oil? Isn't that what this is all about? Certain segments
within the US ruling class won't be happy until the US controls every last drop
of oil on earth.

Part of this has to
do with Iran's desire, which was Iraq's desire at one point, to sell oil valued
in Euros rather than dollars. Why doesn't Western Europe (the governments, I
mean) get that? Or would all of this somehow benefit Europe's currency? Someone
has to pick up the pieces. Right? I, for one, am frightened now. Yes, mainstream
media and Bush cohorts - not to mention enabling Democrats - you have finally
really frightened me. I was already horrified, but that was somehow different
from fear.

This is why I've started a blog called
NoIranAttack.blogspot.com.
I hope others will be a part of this effort. Anyone who wishes to keep eyes
and ears open about all things concerning the increasing tensions between the
US and Iran, and is inclined towards writing about it, please send your passion
my way at shaysreblog@hotmail.com.